Department: State Capacity
Location: Washington, D.C.
Schedule: Flexible hybrid, minimum 3 days in-office per week
Job Status: Full-Time
Experience: 9-15 years (can include internship, graduate, and PhD experience)
Salary: $115,000- $140,000, plus a generous benefits package
Reports to: Director of State Capacity
The Niskanen Center
Named “the most interesting think tank in American politics” by Time magazine in March 2023, the Niskanen Center promotes policies that advance prosperity, opportunity, and human flourishing, guided by the belief that a free market and an effective government are mutually dependent.
We are forging a new vision of American governance that draws on ideas from across the ideological spectrum, an approach made possible by our independence from rigid political coalitions. Our ideological openness gives us credibility to work with a broad range of actors, meeting them on their own terms and helping them converge on policies they might support for different reasons.
The Position
The State Capacity team aims to improve our government’s ability to effectively implement its policy objectives. To advance our vision, the team crafts and supports bipartisan, pragmatic reforms across both the legislative and executive branches.
To support this goal, the Senior Policy Analyst for Talent will lead efforts to enable an outstanding public service workforce with the right skills in the right positions to successfully carry out government functions in a complex world. This will include significant focus on comprehensive civil service reform.
This position requires data intensive research and analysis, communicating these findings in easily accessible forms such as white papers, reports, and commentaries, and translating these findings into policy proposals. The Senior Policy Analyst for Talent will contribute to existing work as well as new and emerging opportunities, working closely with other team members, other Niskanen staff and fellows, and outside experts and stakeholders. This position reports to the Director of State Capacity.
Key Responsibilities
Policy Research and Development
- Design and lead advanced data-intensive research and analysis to advance the team’s strategic priorities.
- Analyze federal and state legislative proposals, administrative policies, and regulatory change.
- Monitor and interpret legislation and policy implementation to ascertain any impact on Niskanen state capacity priorities.
- Translate research into reports and new policy initiatives.
Communications
- Produce major research reports and commentaries based on their research and analysis.
- Share research findings with legislative staffers, advocacy organizations, and journalists.
Outreach and Engagement
- In collaboration with the Niskanen Government Affairs Team, develop and implement strategies to educate members of Congress, the Administration, and other stakeholders about Niskanen policy priorities.
- When invited by policymakers, provide research and policy proposals.
- Develop and grow relationships with policy and advocacy organizations, policy experts, and other partners and stakeholders.
Minimum Qualifications
- Familiarity with the public sector workforce, including policies related to civil service reform.
- Ability to respond to multiple demands in a complex, fast-paced, and rapidly changing policy environment.
- Excellent oral, research, and written communication skills.
- Ability to translate complex issues to key takeaways for diverse audiences.
- Comfort engaging outside individuals and organizations.
- High degree of integrity, ability to build trust, communicate effectively, and collaborate with others.
- Ability to understand team needs and proactively offer solutions.
Benefits and Diversity Commitment
Unlimited paid time off; office is closed on all federal holidays plus the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day; paid parental leave; 100% health, dental and vision insurance for the employee; 403(b) plan with 4% organization contribution, no vesting period; commuter benefits in D.C..
The Niskanen Center is an equal-opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without discrimination of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. We also seek to expand our professional networks and workplace composition to better reflect our dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion.
How to Apply
We only review applications after the deadline: applications must be submitted by 11:59 pm ET on November 26, 2024. Please include a cover letter, resume, and writing sample combined into one pdf. Be prepared to present additional materials during the interview process.
Use the link below to apply. No phone calls, please.